Technical Skills
VFXF 1 - Be able to plan, design and implement a shoot to acquire elements for a visual effect.
VFXF 2 - Be able to convert acquired elements from camera to computer in preparation for compositing phase.
VFXF 3 - Be able to use compositing tools and techniques to create a sequence that blends live footage with computer generated elements.
VFXF 4 - Demonstrate an appropriate critical eye for detail and good aesthetic judgement.
VFXF 5 - Know how to organise post production pipeline and scheduling.
Green Screens
This was the first VFX work I did in After Effects. I used an image of a billboard and added on a green screen so I could then add an image to it. I ended up adding the image of a car in photoshop so it wasn't very professional and the image isn't perfect as you can see green outlines. If I was to do this again I would try to follow a good tutorial to help me understand the process better.
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Motion Tracking
This is the second green screen I did but this time I did it fully in After Effects using motion tracking to keep the video of the sky to the computer screen. It didn't work perfectly as the video only stays in the right place for the first few seconds. If I was to do this again I would try following a tutorial online to to make sure even if it doesn't look perfect, that the motion tracking is good.
Face Tracking
This was the first face tracking I had done in After Effects. I added a mask to a video of a man tying his tie using tracking points. The mask doesn't track perfectly but stays near his face for the most part. If I was to do this again I would follow a tutorial that explains more in depth how to use the tracking points more effectively.
VFX Project
This is my personal reflective account for the VFX project. The first thing me and my team did was brainstorm ideas that could be used for two videos. We needed to be able to add some of the VFX techniques we had tried in After Effects like motion tracking and green screens. We eventually settled with two ideas, the first being a western style shootout but using finger guns instead of real ones. The idea was to add different laser effects coming from the fingers and we could have had lots of different camera angles to replicate a western movie. Our second idea was to recreate the opening from Avatar, the last airbender so that we could use effects like fire, water, rocks and air. We then filled out all the pre production documents, i completed the script breakdown which included things like the cast, software used and equipment needed as well completing two storyboards for our ideas. Most of the pre production forms were for these two ideas we had originally planned, however due to Covid-19 restrictions we were unable to achieve what we wanted to. This was very disappointing for me as I was looking forward to learning how to add different effects and making it look professional. We ended up having to use Windows Photo to make the videos which was much easier to use but lacked the professional look I had hoped for.
After a few unproductive months, we returned to college where I thought we still had a chance to at least attempt something in After Effects but we were informed that because of the situation we were in, the usual standards had dropped and that it was expected to continue in Windows Photo. Me and my group thought this was the best option as we weren't going to be taught anything else in After Effects at college and would struggle to find the time to learn it at our homes while having to balance other projects. The majority of our lesson time would be spent either trying to find things to film around the College grounds or inside editing what we had. Windows Photo allows you to add different effects that are built into the software but there isn't an easy way to use tracking so we mainly just added effects without worrying about a story.
Overall, I'm thankful I at least got to make something in the end and learn about Windows Photo but I would have much preferred to use Adobe After Effects in the future. The Covid-19 restrictions had a large impact on our learning and what we were able to achieve but I still think that if we had been taught something after returning to College then we could have made a shorter video in After Effects that was still linked to our original ideas. We also could have still filmed shots relating to our ideas to use in Windows Photo but i think we accepted our situation too soon and it resulted in two short videos that look childish and rushed.